Authorities seek help identifying break-in suspect

By DAILY NEWS STAFF

Published: Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 01:04 PM.

Updated at 2:19 p.m. to include Crime Stoppers information.

Authorities are asking for help identifying the suspect in a Wednesday morning break-in that fell approximately 30 feet onto a metal display rack and left the store after allegedly taking $700 in merchandise.

According to Surf City police, at approximately 3:12 a.m. Wednesday, a break-in occurred at Tsunami Surf Shop, located at 13523 N.C. 50 in Surf City.

A suspect, described as a white male, approximately 15-25 years old and 5-feet-10-inches tall with a medium build, was recorded on in-store cameras walking around the interior of the business, according to authorities.

The man allegedly entered the business from an air conditioning duct on the roof of the business, fell approximately 30 feet through the air conditioning duct, onto a metal display rack with a glass plate on the top of the rack. The glass plate and metal rack were shattered due to the suspect’s fall, according to police.

The suspect appears to be limping on the in-store camera images and is believed to have received a leg injury due to the fall from the roof.

The suspect exited the store via the back door at 3:28 a.m. activating the in-store alarm system.

Authorities are asking for help identifying the suspect in a Wednesday morning break-in that fell approximately 30 feet onto a metal display rack and left the store after allegedly taking $700 in merchandise.

According to Surf City police, at approximately 3:12 a.m. Wednesday, a break-in occurred at Tsunami Surf Shop, located at 13523 N.C. 50 in Surf City.

A suspect, described as a white male, approximately 15-25 years old and 5-feet-10-inches tall with a medium build, was recorded on in-store cameras walking around the interior of the business, according to authorities.

The man allegedly entered the business from an air conditioning duct on the roof of the business, fell approximately 30 feet through the air conditioning duct, onto a metal display rack with a glass plate on the top of the rack. The glass plate and metal rack were shattered due to the suspect’s fall, according to police.

The suspect appears to be limping on the in-store camera images and is believed to have received a leg injury due to the fall from the roof.

The suspect exited the store via the back door at 3:28 a.m. activating the in-store alarm system.

The male suspect is accused of taking approximately $700 in various merchandise from the store, according to police.

Crime Stoppers of Onslow County is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest or apprehension for the break-in.

People with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 938-3273, Lt. J.S. Johnson or Det. J. Claxton at the Surf City Police Department at 910-328-7711 or can email at jclaxton@surfcitypolice.com. Callers do not have to reveal their identities.